EDMONTON — The social media debate on Alberta’s liquor laws following the 5 a.m. bar opening for the Olympic gold medal men’s hockey game Sunday will be considered during a coming review of the legislation, says Finance Minister Doug Horner.

Horner, who is responsible for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) said the review of the act was already in the plans before Alberta threw open bar room doors so Canadian sports fans could have a drink while watching Team Canada trounce Sweden 3-0 Sunday morning.

“Certainly the discussions that have taken place over social media over the past weekend will be taken into consideration as we develop our public consultation,” he said in a news release. “I know this is a topic that gets Albertans talking.”

Labour Minister Thomas Lukaszuk and Justice Minister Jonathan Denis started an impromptu discussion on Twitter and Facebook after the game with Lukaszuk asking: “Would you agree that this weekend’s change in alcohol sale regulations is evidence that we should be less restrictive all the time?”

Denis responded ‘Yes,’ and the conversation with Albertans took off.

Denis told CBC it’s worth having a discussion about loosening the rules, particularly when it comes to staggering closing times so there isn’t a crush of patrons hitting the streets at the same time.

“Right now at 2 o’clock you have people stampeding out of the bar, often after one too many, looking for taxis.”

While it would also be more convenient to consumers if they could pick up wine at a grocery store, Denis worried about inadvertently increasing accessibility to minors.

There was mixed reaction on Twitter with many endorsing a loosening of the rules and some critical about making access to liquor easier and risking increased incidents of drunk driving.

Horner said allowing all licensees to begin liquor service at 5 a.m. “was unprecedented for Alberta and proved to be a unique experience for everyone who took part.”

“I know thousands of Albertans truly enjoyed the opportunity to gather in their local pubs, bars and restaurants to watch Canada win gold. Because this opportunity was so unprecedented, the AGLC is going to take the time talk to its partners — including law enforcement, licensees and municipalities — to see how this unique event went. I trust they’ll use the feedback they receive to help them make informed decisions about any similar future requests.”

Next door in B.C., legislators just recently approved a major overhaul of liquor rules, accepting all 73 recommendations in a report.

The B.C. Liquor Policy Review final report called for changes to allow liquor to be sold in grocery stores, doing away with fencing beer gardens, allowing hotel guests to carry liquor from the bar to their rooms, and allowing children into pubs.

B.C.’s Justice Minister Suzanne Anton said the changes will be phased in over time.

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Government will consider Olympic social media storm in liquor law review

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